If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the Board Policies and Rules by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

The Orioles have acquired right-hander Jairo Asencio from the Brewers in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations, according to Rich Dubroff of CSN Baltimore (on Twitter).

Asencio, 28, split the 2012 season between the Indians and Cubs, pitching to a 4.91 ERA, 6.5 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9 in 40 1/3 innings of relief work. He's been flat-out dominant at the Triple-A level, compiling a 2.52 ERA, 10.2 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 139 1/3 innings, though that's yet to transfer over to the big league level.

Asencio has averaged 92.3 mph on his heater throughout his career and owns a 40.8 percent ground-ball rate. He pitched previously under a false name: Luis Valdez.

He may have one option remaining. He used an option year in 2009 and 2011, but was optioned in 2010 but subsequently placed on the restricted list. But he was DFA'ed twice last year making me think that he might be out of options.

He may have one option remaining. He used an option year in 2009 and 2011, but was optioned in 2010 but subsequently placed on the restricted list. But he was DFA'ed twice last year making me think that he might be out of options.

Barring any trade acquisitions between now and opening Thursday’s season opener, Braves sidearmer Cory Gearrin and left-hander Yohan Flande are left as the likely choices for the final t

Asencio, 28, was out of minor-league options and would have had to clear waivers before he could be sent to the minor leagues if he wasn’t on the Braves’ opening day roster. Rather than keep him on the roster or lose him on a waiver claim and get nothing in return, the Braves traded the Dominican right-hander.

“He’s always been a one-inning pitcher,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said, “and the [bullpen] role we envision needing to make a decision on is a multi-inning guy who can give you two or three innings at a time. That’s not something he’s ever done, so we were coming to the end with him being out of options and we looked to make a deal.”

Asencio had a 3.27 ERA in 10 spring-training appearances, allowing 13 hits, four runs and three walks with 12 strikeouts.